Main headlines

February 17, 2013

Syrian rebels fire a mortar towards regime forces stationed at Kwiriss airport in Al-Bab, 30 kilometres from the northeastern Syrian city of Aleppo, on Thursday. (AFP Photo/Edouard Elias)
07:45 GMT

More than 300 Syrians from different sectarian backgrounds may have been kidnapped in a rural area in northern Syria in just a few days

The anniversary of the uprising that ended with Qaddafi’s killing in October 2011 comes as Libya’s new rulers battle critics calling for a 'new revolution.'
05:05 GMT

Security forces were on high alert across Libya Sunday as the North African nation marks two years since the start of the revolt that toppled Moamer Qaddafi after four decades of iron-fisted rule.

February 16, 2013

An Iraqi police officer looks at people fishing by the Tigris river facing the Shahid (martyr) Monument. (AFP PHOTO/PATRICK BAZ)
11:57 GMT

A suicide bomber in the northern city of Mosul kills a senior officer and three of his bodyguards.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Turki Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Kabeer opened on Saturday the counter-terrorism conference in Riyadh. (Al Arabiya)
09:15 GMT

The Kingdom begins a global meeting including members of the UN, discussing how to combat terrorism across the world.

An Iraqi boy, whose face is made up with the national flag, flashes the sign of victory during a rally following the Friday's prayers to call for the government's fall. (AFP PHOTO/MARWAN IBRAHIM)
05:00 GMT

The anti-government demonstrations continue across the country as Sunnis protest against the Shia-led government's treatment.

February 15, 2013

The headstone of Ben Zygier is photographed in the Chevra Kadisha Jewish Cemetery in Melbourne on Thursday. (AFP PHOTO/Martin Philbey)
08:25 GMT

After reports emerge that the UAE helped track down the notorious Mossad agent, head of the emirate's police, Dhahi Khalfan, denies any involvement.

A Syrian child poses on a horse in the northern city of Aleppo. (AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC)
05:00 GMT

Fighters from Jabhat-al-Nusra are shown celebrating after taking over the town of al-Shaddada in the North East of Syria.

The debate heats up senate-side over Chuck Hagel
02:00 GMT

Plans afoot for the Republicans to delay Senator Chuck Hagel's nomination as the US secretary of defense have come to light. In return for unblocking their filibuster on the vote, Republicans want information about Libya's embassy attacks.

February 14, 2013

Cairo International Airport.
12:48 GMT

A four man Israeli team arrives in the Egyptian capital for talks.

American centrifuges enriching uranium (Photo credit: US Department of Energy/ Wikimedia Commons)
09:48 GMT

Iran attempts to purchase tens of thousands of magnets to be used for uranium enrichment, which would enable the country to expand its nuclear program, reports say.

Israel confirmed it jailed a foreigner in solitary confinement on security grounds who later committed suicide, with Australia admitting it knew one of its citizens had been detained. (AFP Photo/William West)
08:32 GMT

Israel acknowledged it had detained Ben Zygier on Wednesday. Zygier was found dead in his cell a month after his arrest and detention at a maximum security prison.

Al Azhar Mosque, the center of Islamic authority in Egypt.
08:20 GMT

The Islamic authority says it will be looking for a better relationship with Pope Benedict's successor.

Bahrain police run as they try to disperse protestors during clashes following an anti-government rally to demand political reforms on Wednesday. (AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH)
07:07 GMT

Police fire tear gas and use stun grenades to disperse demonstrators marching towards Pearl Roundabout in the capital.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
06:52 GMT

A top commander in Iran's notorious Revolutionary Guard has been killed in Lebanon, according to local reports.

Egypt's cabinet agrees on new draft legislation placing some limits on protests; justice minister says police can't ban demonstrations.
06:12 GMT

Egypt's cabinet agrees on new draft legislation placing some limits on protests; justice minister says police can't ban demonstrations.